Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1887-07-02
NATIONAL HOME, D. Y. S.
LEAvENwoRrH. KANs

NATIONAL HOME. D. VS..
LEAvENwoRTH, KANs.
Editor of Bnlletin.-In your issue of
June Ord, I saw quite lengthy piece
about the Soldiers home, but during
your short visit here, you could not get
many of the particulars. But it is indeed
what it is called, home for the silver
haired veterans; and we are, to-day,
proud that we defended country and
love its honor. and in compliment it has
provided us one of the greatest institu-
tions, to care for us in our helpless days,
of any nation on earth.
When we are admitted we are furnished
uniform, consisting of one dress coat,
one vest, one blouse, one pair pants, one
cap, two shirts, two pair drawers, wopair
socks, one pair shoes, one pair suspend
ers. After being there three months, we
draw one pair pants, one pair socks, one
shirt and one pair drawers. At the end
of six months, all the old clothing which
are worn and needful OF patching, we
turn over to the Quartermaster, and 80
on, every three months, this giving us
good and respectable clothing all the time.
Each man has space on the floor 6x0
feet square, on which is neat wardrobe
for our clothes, an iron bedstead with
spring bottom; the bed is composed OF
one pillow, three sheets, one linen coun-
terpane, three heavy blankets and one
mattress. We also have a chair and
spittoon. No other man is allowed on
your premises while you are not there,
and there has never been anything stolen
yet, as they are kept under strict sur
veilance all the time. On the foot of
each bed is tin plate with mans name,
age, company, regiment, his disease,
nativity, religious views, Catholic or Prot
estant, married or single.
There are many men in the home that
find fault, but you find this element
never had anything to eat or wear at
home. We have all the main stats of
life to eat, bread, butter, potatoes, beans,
peas, meats, all kinds of vegetables, and
got up in the best of order, and set on
the table for the men to help themselves,
and if they do not get enough, it is their
own fault. We also draw one sheet of
paper, stamp and envelope week, and
a pound tobacco, either smoking or
chewing. We have large hall, and
frequently have dramatic troops to enter
tain us, always free of charge to us. We
have religious services three times week.
We also have a store owned and run by
the home, where we can buy any little
delicacies, such as canned goods, jellies,
etc. We have garden run by: the home
of about 100 acres, where all kinds of
vegetables are raised for our own use. |
There is ten acres of sweet potatoes alone. |
All this work is done by the old soldier, |
for which he gets from Sc to $40 a month |
for his labor. This looks pretty small, |
but take the young man of to day, at 500 |
per month, and see who wears the best |
clothes and saves the most money. A |
soldier does not have to work unless he
wants to, unless he disbehaves, and then |
he is put in the guard house, and works
out his fine on the dump. We have a |
heavy police force, and the consequence
is, we have good order. Some complain |
of red tape, but without it we would soon
have to disperse, and great credit is due
the governor for his careful management.
He shows no partiality and sees that
every man has his rights, and let me say
right here, it takes a man with a good
head and kind heart to have the good |
will of all. A man does not have to be a
pauper, neither total wreck, to be in
the home, but man with an honorable |
discharge, and one who will obey the
rules of the home, and if he does not, he
goes out of the gate with dishonorable
discharge. I would like that all old
soldiers could see the home, and be con-
vinced it is not poor house, but truly a
home. There are on sale here in sections
of the building of the home, pictures 6x9
in. square, and if any one wishing any of
them will send me the money, will send
him one picture for fifty cents, two for
one dollar, and three for one dollar and
twenty-five cents. Fearing I will tire
you, will close. I receive your paper
weekly, and would like to see the Herald
and other county papers. There are
about twenty-five readers of the Bulletin
N my ward. Resp't yours,
NJ. @. MowBRAY.
The above is taken from the Smith
Center Bulletin. World readers are
composed largely of old soldiers. They,
We judge from our own feelings, are
lesirous of knowing the condition of the
'arious soldiers homes, and especially of
he one in Kansas. It occurs to us that
he above letter, for it's length, contains a
arge quantity of valuable information.
CHEEK UNPAINTED.